Portable bill-board



.( NO Model.)

. I; R. STONE. PORTABLE BILLBOARD.

seasons when it is not in use.

. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.

Nrrn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK. R. STONE, OF MIDDLEBURY, VERMONT.

PORTABLE BILL-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,812, dated August 22, 1893.

Application filed November 9, 1892. Serial No, 'l5l,480. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK. R. STONE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middlebury, in the county of Addison and State of Vermont, haveinvented a new and useful Billtl'ioard, of which the following is a specifica- The object of my invention is to provide a bill board which can be readily set up at any desired point and which can be easily removed and stored in a small compass during This object I accomplish by the use of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the invention consists in certain novel features which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings just referred to, Figure l is an elevation of my improved bill board. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view showing another form of brace. Fig. 4: is a detail view showing the manner of fastening the panels to the post. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing one of the base sections and the pin for securing the same, and Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the upper end of the brace.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a series of base sections A, each of which has a base sections are further provided with recesses G in their upper sides and standards or posts H have their lower ends seated in the said recesses. These standards or posts are provided with vertical longitudinal grooves I in their sides and with the upwardly projecting pins J at their upper extremities, the purposes of which will presently appear. The panels consist of a series of rails K secured upon end bars L with their adjacent edges close together. Bolts or other similar fastenin gs, M, are mounted on the said end bars and are adapted to engage the grooves in the sides of the posts and thereby prevent the panels from falling laterally away from the same. The lower edges of the panels rest upon the base and they are thereby supported. The upper edges of the panels are covered by a cap N which rests upon the same and the u pper ends of the posts. This cap is composed of a number of sections equal to the panels in length and connected by staples 0. They are held in position by the pinsJ engaging openings P in their ends, as shown.

In order to maintain the structure in an upright position and prevent it being blown over by the wind, I provide the braces Q which are provided with books or perforated plates R at their upper ends adapted to engage the pins J and be thereby held to the bill board. Loops or keepers S are pivoted to the lower ends of the braces and pins or pegs T are driven through said loops into the ground. By pivoting the loops, I am enabled to turn them so that the securing pegs or pins may be driven at any desired angle to the perpendioular; This feature of-my device will be found very convenient when it is necessary to secure the lower ends of the braces on rough ground. v

When it is found necessary to set up the bill board on a pavement or very hard ground so that the securing pegs cannot be used, I employ the braces U shown in Fig. 3. These braces have both ends tapered or pointed, as shown, the lower end resting on and gripping against the pavement or the surface of the ground and the upper end engaging the ratchets V formed on or secured to the panels.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided a very cheap and simple bill board which can be readily set up at any desired place and as readily taken apart and stored away when not in use. The device will be found especially serviceable in such places as county fair grounds where the use is not continuous as it can be taken apart and stored away when not in service so as to be preserved from the action of the weather. The announcements, it will be readily understood, are posted on the face of the panel and the projecting edge of the cap prevents rain from passing down behind them so as to wash them off the board.

ICO

The structure may be made any desired length by simply increasing the number off-sections and for this reason'the intermediate posts are provided with grooves on two sides, the end posts, of course, having the outer sides smooth so as to present a neatfinish to the ends of the structure. The device may be hung on a suitable frame or a wall it itcannot be conveniently set up on the ground. Such arrangement is Within the scope of my invention.

'Havine; thus described mv invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv 1. The combination with the posts having upwardly projecting pins at their upper ends,

FRANK. R. STONE.

Witnesses:

RUFUS WAINRIGHT, ROBERT W. BUNDY. 

